Furniture elevating device

ABSTRACT

An elevating device for elevating a furniture leg above a floor, resulting in a corresponding elevation of the furniture&#39;s seating surface. The device is of a “universal” design capable of being used with various furniture of different designs, e.g. chairs and beds having discrete legs or sled-base legs, of a broad range of sizes. The device includes a base for resting in a stable manner on the floor and a support surface opposite the base defining a longitudinal channel for receiving a furniture leg. The longitudinal channel may include upper and lower channels, to support legs at different heights above the floor, or inwardly sloping sidewalls for wedgedly supporting a furniture leg. Optionally, the device includes a securing member for attaching a securing strap to limit leg movement relative to the device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to legged furniture, suchas chairs or beds, and more particularly a device for raising the heightof the furniture. The present invention is particularly useful fordisabled or weak individuals who cannot easily lower themselves into orraise themselves from furniture having a relatively low seating surfaceheight.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Conventional chairs are found throughout residential settings andcommercial settings, including hospitals and nursing homes. Such chairstypically include several legs for supporting a seating surface at adistance of approximately sixteen to eighteen inches above the floor onwhich the chair rests.

[0003] Conventional chairs are difficult to use for persons whose healthis compromised. Similarly, it is often difficult for suchhealth-compromised persons to sit on or stand from a mattress (seatingsurface) of a conventional bed. Health-compromised persons include thosehaving inadequate leg or hip strength, due to advanced age, illness,disability or obesity, etc. and those recovering from surgery, to thelegs, hips or torso, etc. Such persons typically require assistance tolower themselves into or raise themselves from conventional chairs. Somehealth-compromised persons simply avoid such chairs, by refusing toleave their beds.

[0004] Various mechanized chairs exist for assisting a person to loweror raise oneself while still providing a seating surface at aconventional height. However, such mechanized chairs are typicallyexpensive, heavy, awkward, difficult to move or transport, and/orotherwise undesirable.

[0005] Specialized non-mechanized chairs, sometimes referred to as “hip”chairs, offer an alternative to mechanized chairs. These specializedchairs typically have legs for supporting a seating surface at a heightof approximately 24 inches above a floor on which the chair rests. Whilesuch chairs may be effective for the purpose of assisting individuals tolower or raise oneself, they offer various disadvantages, including theadditional expense of purchasing specialized chairs. In a residentialsetting, the additional expense is often highly objectionable as theneed for the specialized chair may be only temporary, such as whilerecovering from surgery. Finally, such specialized chairs are oftenaesthetically undesirable because they fail to match existing roomdecor. Similar considerations are applicable to beds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention provides a device for elevating a furnitureleg above a floor to cause a corresponding elevation of the furniture.The elevating device is of a “universal” design, meaning that it iscapable of being used with many different types of legged furniture,including chairs of different designs, such as those having discrete orsled-base legs of a broad range of sizes. The present invention canreduce or eliminate the need for mechanized or specialized chairs orbeds and may be sold inexpensively relative to such chairs or beds.Additionally, the elevating device may be used with existing chairs orbeds and therefore will not create an unpleasing aesthetic effect.

[0007] The elevating device includes a base for resting on the floorsurface in a stable manner, and a support surface opposite the base forsupporting a furniture leg. The support surface includes opposedsidewalls that define a channel for receiving a furniture leg. Thesidewalls optionally slope inwardly to wedgedly support a furniture leg.The channel may include upper and lower channels configured forsupporting legs at different heights above the floor, and/or to supportlegs of various widths. Optionally, the device is dimensioned forsupporting a leg at least one inch or more above the floor. Theelevating device supports the legged furniture above the floor andthereby causes a corresponding elevation of the furniture, particularlythe furniture's seating surface.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008]FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an exemplary elevating device inaccordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0009]FIG. 1B is a perspective of an exemplary elevating device inaccordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0010]FIG. 1C is a top view of an exemplary elevating device inaccordance with a third embodiment to the present invention.

[0011]FIG. 2A is an end view of the exemplary elevating device of FIG.1A.

[0012]FIG. 2B is an end view of an alternative embodiment of theelevating device of FIG. 2A.

[0013]FIG. 3A is an end view of an exemplary elevating device inaccordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0014]FIG. 3B is an end view of an alternative embodiment of theelevating device of FIG. 3A.

[0015]FIG. 4A is an end view of an exemplary elevating device accordingto a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 4B is an end view of an alternative embodiment of theelevating device of FIG. 4A.

[0017]FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views of exemplary elevatingdevices according to sixth and seventh embodiments of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The present invention provides a device for elevating at leastone furniture leg above a floor. For illustrative purposes, a chair isdiscussed below. In that context, the present invention provides adevice for elevating at least one chair leg above a floor by supportingthe chair's legs above the floor. The device may be constructedrelatively inexpensively to make the device a feasible economicalternative to mechanized or specialized non-mechanized chairs. Thedevice is preferably of a “universal” design in that it is capable ofsupporting a variety of existing furniture legs having variousconfigurations and dimensions. In some embodiments, the channel iscapable of supporting furniture having either four discrete legs ofvarious sizes, or two sled-base legs of various sizes.

[0019] As shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1A, the device 10includes a base 20 for resting on a floor (not shown) and a supportsurface 24 opposite the base 20. The base 20 is configured for restingin a stable manner on a floor, i.e. to rest securely in a mannerresisting rocking or tipping. For example, the base 20 may be configuredto rest in a stable manner by having an elongated flat bottom surface,see e.g. FIGS. 1A and 2A, or a concave or other bottom surface (notshown) that will rest on a floor to resist rocking or tipping.

[0020] The support surface 24 is configured for supporting a furnitureleg. The support surface 24 includes opposed sidewalls 32 a, 32 bdefining a longitudinal channel 30 for receiving a furniture leg (seeFIGS. 5A and 5B).

[0021] In some embodiments, the support surface 24 is of a “stepped”design, as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, and 2B. In a “stepped” design,the sidewalls 32 a, 32 b include multiple lands for supporting afurniture leg. Preferably, at least a portion of each land is positionedto be substantially parallel to the floor when the base 20 is restingthereon. In this manner, the channel 30 effectively includes upper andlower channels. For example, the device 10 of FIG. 2A includes a firstland 34 that cooperates with the sidewalls 32 a, 32 b to form a lowerchannel 30 a dimensioned for supporting a leg having a width no widerthan a first width. In the example of FIG. 2A, the lower channel 30 a iscapable of supporting a leg having a width (W₁) no wider thanapproximately 2.0 inches.

[0022] Additionally, the sidewalls 32 a, 32 b include a second landincluding sublands 36 a, 36 b for supporting a furniture leg.Preferably, the second land is positioned to be substantially parallelto the floor when the floor is engaged by the base 20. The second land(sublands 36 a and 36 b) cooperates with the sidewalls 32 a, 32 b toform an upper channel 30 b dimensioned for supporting a leg having awidth no wider than a second width. In the example of FIG. 2A, the upperchannel 30 is capable of supporting a leg having a width (W₂) no widerthan approximately 3.0 inches.

[0023] Optionally, the lower channel 30 a is at least partiallyoverlapped by the upper channel 30 b. In the example if FIGS. 1A-2B, thelower channel 30 a is completely overlapped by the upper channel 30 b.

[0024] In some embodiments, the lower channel 30 a is positioned to beat a first height above the floor when the base 20 is resting on thefloor, and the upper channel 30 b is positioned to be at a second heightabove the floor when the base 20 is resting on the floor, the secondheight being greater than the first height. Such an embodiment is bestshown in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

[0025] In alternative embodiments, the support surface 24 is of a“wedge” design, as shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5A and 5B. In a“wedge” design, the sidewalls 32 a, 32 b slope inwardly towards eachother from a top to a bottom of the device 10, as shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B,4A, 4B, 5A and 5B. In this manner, the sidewalls are capable of wedgedlysupporting a furniture leg, as discussed further below with reference toFIG. 3A.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the sidewalls 32 a, 32 b aresubstantially planar and positioned to intersect to form a dihedralangle, as shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5A and 5B. The inwardly slopingsidewalls 32 a, 32 b are arranged for wedgedly supporting a leg ofvarious widths, e.g. up to a maximum width W_(MAX), e.g. approximately3.0 inches, as shown in FIG. 3A. For example, the channel 30 may begenerally chevron-shaped in cross-section, as shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5Aand 5B, or a truncated chevron-shape, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. Inthe truncated chevron-shape configuration, the device 10 includes a land38 for supporting a leg having a width no wider than a width of the land(W_(MIN)), e.g. approximately 0.5 to approximately 2 inches.

[0027] The channel 30 is preferably at least one inch in length. In someembodiments, e.g. when it is desired to support chairs having twosled-base legs, the channel 30 has a length dimensioned for supportingat least one of two sled-base legs, e.g. approximately 4 toapproximately 30 inches, or any suitable length.

[0028] In some embodiments, as shown in the exemplary device of FIG. 1A,the device 10 defines a transverse cross-section that is substantiallyuniform along its entire length. This is particularly useful forsupporting a chair having sled-base legs, particularly when it isdesired to support a sled-base leg falling within a range of lengthssince the sled-base leg may be longer or shorter than the device 10 andstill be supported satisfactorily by the device 10.

[0029] In some embodiments, e.g. as shown in FIG. 1A, the device 10defines a transverse cross-section that is substantially uniform alongsubstantially all of its length. For example, the device 10 in FIG. 1Cincludes end walls 40 a, 40 b and so the transverse cross-section issubstantially uniform along substantially all of the length, but notincluding end walls 40 a, 40 b. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 5A and5B, the device 10 includes an end wall 40 a at only one end of thedevice, and so the transverse is substantially uniform alongsubstantially all of its length, but not the portion of the lengthincluding the end wall 40 a. It should be noted that two end walls maybe incorporated into an embodiment for accommodating a sled-base leg,provided that the length of the support surface 24 and/or channel 30 issufficient to support/receive a sled-base leg or an embodiment in whichthe device is intended to support only one of several discrete legs.When the device 10 and/or the channel 30 is short in length relative toa sled-base leg, e.g. a length of approximately 10 inches or less, it isadvantageous to use a single end wall and to have a channel that has atleast one open end, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. In such an embodiment,two of the devices may be used to support a single sled-base leg, ifnecessary. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the single endwall 40 a acts as a stop to prevent a leg of the chair and/or otherfurniture from sliding out of the channel 30. For such purposes, thedevice may be much shorter in length, e.g. approximately 1 toapproximately 4 inches in length. Optionally, it may be desirable forboth ends of the channel 30 to be open, as best shown in FIG. 1A.

[0030] Optionally, the device 10 may define a transverse cross-sectionthat is substantially non-uniform along its length. In such anembodiment, the channel 30 may be defined only in discrete zones, e.g.50 a, 50 b of FIG. 1B. Such an embodiment is particularly well-suited tosupporting a chair having discrete legs, but not as well-suited tosupporting a chair having sled-base legs because of the discontinuity ofthe channel 30, unless each of the discrete zones has a lengthsufficient for receiving an entire sled-base leg. The discrete zones 50a, 50 b are spaced along the length of the device 10 so as to receive atleast two legs of the chair, furniture, etc. In other words, the spacingof the zones should correspond generally to the spacing of legs that areintended to be supported by the device. Lengthening each zone allowslegs having a greater range of spacings to be received in the discretezones.

[0031] In the embodiments discussed above, at least a portion of thesidewalls 32 a, 32 b, and/or any lands, may be provided with aslip-resistant lining to enhance the stability of the chair/elevatingdevice interface. For example, the slip-resistant lining may include acoating (as shown at 44 in FIG. 4A), such as a paint or other coatingapplied in a liquid form, a slip-resistant layer, such as scoring orridges (not shown), or an additional layer of a slip-resistant material(as shown at 46 a, 46 b in FIG. 4B), such as a material deformable underthe weight of a chair and/or the combined weight of a person and achair, such as a closed cell foam, e.g. a layer up to 1.5 inches inthickness. Alternatively, the device itself may be constructed of such amaterial.

[0032] The device 10 rests in a stable manner on the floor such that itresists longitudinal and lateral tipping of the base 20 and resultingtipping of any furniture supported by the base 20. Lateral tipping maybe reduced by providing a device 10 with a relatively low center ofgravity. Accordingly, for example, the device 10 may have a base 20 thatis wider than a top portion 60 of the device 10 opposite the base 20, asshown in FIGS. 2B, 3B, 4B, 5A and 5B. Optionally, the device 10 mayinclude outwardly sloping walls 55 a, 55 b extending from the topportion 60 to the base 20, as shown in FIGS. 2B, 3B, 5A and 5B.Alternatively, the walls 55 a, 55 b may be of a stepped design (as shownin FIG. 4B) or other design (not shown) to enhance the stability of thedevice. For example, bases having a width of approximately 6 to 12inches have been found satisfactory for most conventional chairs.Alternative configurations, e.g. holes, variation in materials ordensity, etc. may be used to lower the center of gravity or to otherwisereduce the possibility of tipping, as will be understood by thoseskilled in the art. In certain embodiments, e.g. as shown in FIGS. 5Aand 5B, the device 10 includes securing members along walls 55 a, 55 b.For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, the securing members include one ormore holes 57 or cups (not shown). In the exemplary embodiment shown inFIG. 5B, the securing member includes at least one ridge 59, andpreferably a ridge 59 extending along each side wall 55 a, 55 b. Thesecuring members serve as fastening points for attaching a securingstrap, such as a bungee cord 70 as discussed further below. As usedherein, the securing member/securing strap configuration includes anysuitable alternative for securing a leg relative to the device, as willbe appreciated by those skilled in the art.

[0033] The device 10 is preferably constructed of a materialsufficiently rigid to support at least the weight of a chair and aperson sitting on the chair. Suitable materials include metal, plastic,wood, and rubber. Furthermore, the device 10 may be formed by machining,extrusion, injection molding, or any other suitable method, various suchmethods being generally known in the art.

[0034] Optionally, the device 10 is dimensioned for permitting thechannel 30 to support a furniture leg at a height of at least 1 inchabove a floor when the base 20 is resting on the floor. Preferably, thedevice 10 is dimensioned for supporting the leg at a height ofapproximately 1 inch to approximately 10 inches from the floor on whichthe base rests, or at any suitable height within this range. As shown inFIG. 2A, the exemplary device 10 is dimensioned such that H₁ isapproximately at least 1 inch. It will be appreciated from the figures,including FIG. 3A, that a device 10 may be dimensioned to support a legat a range of heights above the floor surface when the floor surface isengaged by the base 20, namely, at a distance between H_(MIN) andH_(MAX), as discussed further below with reference to FIG. 3A.

[0035] The elevating device of the present invention may be used toelevate a seating surface of a conventional chair to a height from whichit is easier to raise and lower oneself, thereby easing the sitting andstanding processes for health-compromised persons. Devices according tothe present invention may be used to elevate seating surfaces of chairshaving discrete legs or sled-base legs, of a range ofsizes/dimensions/spacings/configurations, etc.

[0036] In use, two of the devices 10 may be arranged on a floor surfacein a spaced relationship suitable for accommodating the legs offurniture, e.g. a chair, with which the devices are intended to be used.Alternatively, four of the exemplary devices 10 of FIG. 1C may bearranged to accommodate four discrete legs of a chair, i.e. so that eachleg of the chair rests in a respective channel 30 of a different device10. Alternatively, two of the exemplary devices 10 of FIG. 1B may bearranged to accommodate four discrete legs of a chair (one leg in eachof zones 50 a and 50 b of two devices 10). Alternatively, two of theexemplary devices 10 of FIG. 1A may be arranged to accommodate eitherfour discrete legs of a chair, or two sled-base legs of a chair,depending upon the type of chair. It should be noted that a singledevice 10 may be positioned to support either a left or a right side (aside/side arrangement) or a front or a back (a front/back arrangement)of a chair when used with a chair having four discrete legs. When usedin a front/back arrangement, the device 10 positioned to support thefront legs of the chair may also be used as a step by the person usingthe chair.

[0037] The chair is then placed atop the devices 10 such that the legsof the chair are supported in the channels 30 by the sidewalls 32 a, 32b and/or any lands 34, 36 a, 36 b, 38 of the devices 10. For example,with respect to a device as shown in FIGS. 1A-2B, a leg of the chair ispositioned to stand on the land 34 if the width of the leg so permits,i.e. if the width is less than W₁. If the width of the leg is wider, itis positioned to stand on the second land (namely, sublands 36 a and 36b), as best shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. With respect to the device ofFIGS. 1A, 2A, and 2B, because the device is of a universal design, itdoes not matter whether the chair has discrete or sled-base legs, orwhat are the exact dimensions of the leg (provided the dimensions fallwithin a range accommodated by the device, namely, a width less thanW₂).

[0038] With respect to a device 10 as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a leg ofthe chair is positioned to stand on land 38 if the width of the leg sopermits, i.e. if the width is less than or equal to W_(MIN). If the legis wider than W_(MIN) (but less than W_(MAX)), the leg is positioned towedgedly engage the inwardly sloping sidewalls 32 a, 32 b, as best shownin FIG. 3A. Similarly, as in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4A-5B whichdo not include a land, the leg wedgedly engages the inwardly slopingsidewalls 32 a, 32 b.

[0039] With respect to the devices 10 of FIGS. 1A, 2A-5B, because thedevices 10 are of a universal design, it does not matter whether thechair has discrete or sled-base legs, or what are the exact dimensionsof the leg (provided the dimensions fall within a range accommodated bythe device, namely, a width less than W_(MAX) or W₂). It will beappreciated that legs of a range of widths may be supported, and that anarrower leg simply rides in a lower channel (FIGS. 1A-2B), or lowerbetween the sidewalls 32 a, 32 b (FIGS. 3A-5B) at a height dependingupon the width of the leg and the spaced arrangement of the sidewalls.For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, a leg A having a width less thanW_(MIN) stands on land 38 and is supported at a height H_(MIN) above thefloor, a wider leg B wedges between the sidewalls 32 a, 32 b at agreater height H₁ above the floor, and an even wider leg C wedgesbetween the sidewalls 32 a, 32 b at a greater height H₂ above the floor.Accordingly, the seating surface (not shown) of the chair (not shown) iselevated a corresponding height above the floor.

[0040] With respect to a device 10 including an end wall 40 a as shownin FIGS. 5A and 5B, it may be desirable to position the leg near oragainst the end wall 40 a to limit sliding movement of the chair leg.Because the device 10 in such an embodiment includes only one end wall40 a, i.e., the channel 30 is open at the other end, it is of auniversal design and can accommodate either discrete or sled-base legs,even if the channel's length is shorter than the sled-base leg.

[0041] If securing members 57, 59 are provided, a securing strap 70 suchas a bungee cord bearing a hook 71 on at least one end, etc., may behooked to securing members 57, 59 along at least one side wall 55 a, 55b and wrapped around the chair leg as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B tofurther limit the possibility of sliding movement of the leg relative tothe device 10. In an embodiment in which the securing straps 57, 59and/or the device 10 is constructed of a relatively elastic material,the securing strap 70 may cause the device 10 to “pinch” and securelyhold the legs. It should be noted that various other securing membersmay be provided, that the securing strap may be fastened to or otherwisejoined to the device 10 at one end, etc. as will be appreciated by thoseskilled in the art.

[0042] If desired, the chair may be removed from the devices by liftingthe chair from the elevating devices, allowing use of the devices withother chairs, e.g. in another room in a residence, etc.

[0043] Having thus described particular embodiments of the invention,various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occurto those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications andimprovements as are made obvious by this disclosure are intended to bepart of this description though not expressly stated herein, and areintended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention.Accordingly, the foregoing description is by way of example only, andnot limiting. The invention is limited only as defined in the followingclaims and equivalents thereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for elevating at least one furniture legabove a floor, said device comprising: a base for resting in a stablemanner on the floor; and a support surface opposite said base forsupporting the furniture leg, said support surface comprising opposedsidewalls defining a longitudinal channel.
 2. The device of claim 1,wherein said device is so dimensioned as to permit said channel tosupport the furniture leg at a height of at least one inch above thefloor when the base is resting on the floor.
 3. The device of claim 1,wherein said channel has a length so dimensioned as to support at leastone sled-base leg.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein said channel has alength so dimensioned as to support at least two furniture legs.
 5. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein at least one end of said channel is open. 6.The device of claim 1, wherein the defice defines a transversecross-section that is substantially uniform along its entire length. 7.The device of claim 1, wherein the device defines a transversecross-section that is substantially uniform along substantially all ofits length.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the device defines atransverse cross-section that is substantially non-uniform along itslength, and wherein said channel is defined in at least two discretezones positioned for receiving at least two furniture legs.
 9. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein said channel comprises upper and lowerchannels, said upper channel being wider than said lower channel, saidlower channel being so dimensioned as to support a leg having a width nowider than a first width.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein saidsidewalls slope inwardly towards each other for wedgedly supporting thefurniture leg.
 11. The device of claim 9, wherein said upper channel isso dimensioned as to support a leg having a width no wider than a secondwidth.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein said lower channel ispositioned to be at a first height above the floor, and said upperchannel is positioned to be at a second height greater than said firstheight above the floor, when said base is resting on the floor.
 13. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein said sidewalls slope inwardly towards eachother for wedgedly supporting the furniture leg.
 14. The device of claim1, wherein each of said sidewalls comprises a substantially planarsidewall for wedgedly supporting the furniture leg, said substantiallyplanar sidewalls intersecting to form a dihedral angle.
 15. The deviceof claim 1, wherein said base is wider than a top portion of said deviceopposite said base.
 16. The device of claim 15, further comprisingoutwardly sloping walls extending from said top portion to said base.17. The device of claim 1, further comprising a slip-resistant liningdisposed on at least a portion of said sidewalls.
 18. The device ofclaim 17, wherein said slip-resistant lining comprises a coating. 19.The device of claim 17, wherein said slip-resistant lining comprises aslip-resistant layer.
 20. The device of claim 19, wherein saidslip-resistant layer comprises closed cell foam.
 21. The device of claim1, further comprising at least one securing member configured forattaching a securing strap.
 22. A device for elevating at least onefurniture leg above a floor, said device comprising: an elongated bodyhaving a base configured for resting in a stable manner on the floor,said body having a longitudinal channel opposite said base, said channelcomprising upper and lower channels, said upper channel being wider thansaid lower channel.
 23. A device for elevating at least one furnitureleg above a floor, said device comprising: an elongated body defining abase configured for resting in a stable manner on the floor, said bodyhaving a longitudinal channel opposite said base, said channel defininginwardly sloping opposed sidewalls for wedgedly supporting the furnitureleg.
 24. The device of claim 23, wherein each of said sidewalls issubstantially planar and wherein said sidewalls intersect to form adihedral angle.
 25. The device of claim 23, further comprising aslip-resistant lining disposed on at least a portion of said sidewalls.